Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-10-20

Ctfcct Boston Mass.
"Wclh I should esy it could bcr
said The sharp voice Of Miss Smith,
who. having heard Tad's exclamation,
had stepped out on the piazza, un.
noticed by Tad.
"Whorc'd this paper come fromN
she demanded, "a she took it from
Tad's hand,
Tad explained briefly.
"First good | ever knew come ~
keeping a dogl' curtly Vnarked Miss
Smith. "Humphr' continued the lady,
now somewhat excited, "here's that
fellows namc-if his name is Forrest
on the margin, and the notice has gut
lead pencil mark drawn round it
Don't that make It all plain unoughpn
"All what ma'0mp meekly returned
Tad.
"Why, that this Mr.. Forrest must
have seen the notice, and KEEP Il to
himself, thinking that perhaps he could
whcedle you out Of the bag for little or
nothing, and then get big reward for
rcturnin' it, replied Miss Smith, with
a triumphant snap Of her gray eyes.
81 think there's more to il than that.
Miss smith, said Tad, rising to his
feet. II think he's the Same fellow
who tried so hard to get hold of It In
Boston. You see, ma'am," continued
Tad, meekly, 81 amt So quick as some,
but I've studied Il out kind Of like this.
He somehow found out, in the first
place, that the tall gentleman who
owns it had jewclry. or whatever 1t is,
worth ever so much money In his sach-
el, and Just followed on after him to
get chance 20 grab it. Then Tos
hold Of 1t, and evef since he's been
deggfh' nc, He's got a mustache,
and bran'-new teeth, and his voice is
little different; but this afternoon l
found out something that makes me
pretty sure Tn right" And then Tad
told Miss Smith about the little blue
scar, that he had 81 unexpectedly dis
covered.
"Wel, Tad" observed Miss Smith.
after a short astonished pause, you're
smarter boy than / ever thought YOU
was. I'm free 10 confess. Thc-the-
deceptive critter!" And, for Il moment
or two, it really seemed as though Miss
Smith was determined TO sally forth,
and, single-handed, capture Mr.. For
rest, and drag him into the presence Of
"Squaron Martin, the BiXport justice
Of the peace. there to denounce him as
n fraud ~ tho nt.st ,,.ofar
But, upon cooler reflection, she saw
that, in reality, there was no visible
proof of any such charge. further than
Tad's own word. Even Captain Flagg
or Polly would hardly have recognized.
in the elegantly-dressed gentleman
with a silky black mustache, the smooth
faced, shabby sharper who had tried
unsuccessfully TO steal Captain Flagg's
money and papers ON Commercial
wharf
"Givc a rogue rope enough. and he'-
sure 10 hang himself; so | guess we
won't say any thing for spell
longer" finally said Miss Smith, to
Tad's great qualification.
But the good lady Immediately sat
down and wiote letter to u. II. A."
in relation to the sachel. and after
ward posted it with her own hands.
Furthermore, she had new lock put
on each Of the outer doors, and even
went so far as 10 have Tad clean and
load an old hint-lock muskct, that had
done good service at Bunker Hill.
which, 10 Samantha Nason's great
horror, she kept standing at the head
Of her bed
81 feel il in my bones that the fell
lowl make one more trial for that
sachel," she said, oracularly. "for he
knows that what's in II is well worth
runnin' a big risk for; but, if he's
aware when he's well OF, he better
keep awayw
Three days passed. and then Miss
Smith received an answer, TO the effect
that -. II. A. would be in Bixport on
the following day, and would do him
self tho honor Of calling upon Miss
Smith, at her residence, in the even
ing.
THING is coming TO a climax, Tad"
said Miss Smith, carefully tucking the
letter away in a pigeon-hole Of the old
fashioned secretary in the front sitting
room, land | guess you'll get your five
hundred dollars reward. after all, and
Edwards, or whatever his name is, will
have his trouble for his pains"
Five hundred dollarsl Tad turned
from red to white. and white to red
again. lie thought 10 himself that
when he held the money in his
hands he would believe it, but not till
then.
The sachel had been placed in a Sec
retary drawer for safe keeping. Miss
Smith unlocked the drawer, 10 make
sure that il '0as safe. Then she held it
thoughtfully up by the handle.
I'm free 10 confess I'm dretful curl
Gus 20 know what's inside" she re-
marked, rs she held it at her ear, and
shook II vigorously. There's papers,
for one ihing-I hear 'em rustle-and
something like box" she continued;
" but never mind. Tad-we'l know all
about It tomorrow night Thus say
ing, she replaced the sachel, locked the
drawer and dropped the key into her
pocket, happily unconscious that
sharp pair of oyes-whose owner was
hidden from the view Of any chance
passer-hy by thick clump Of lilacs be-
fore the house-had been watching her
every movement from without. through
the half-closcd blinds.
CHAPTER XIII.
The curtains were pulled down, the
big kerosenc-lamp lighted, and Miss